Rating Green Bay’s Players: LB and D-Line

PackFan2005
Hello, and for this next post, I will be rating our LB’s and D-Line.

Linebackers

Blake Martinez (A-)
After leading the NFL in tackles in 2017, Martinez is looking to actually get noticed in 2018. And it sure as heck can happen. He’s a tackling machine, and I think he’ll be even better playing alongside rookie Oren Burks.

Nick Perry (B+)
Perry is our Green Bay’s number two guy for sure. He’s a good sack producer, but he’s very injury prone, and the depth behind him isn’t great. He may need to take it slow after being recently taken off the PUP list, but he’ll get back to normal at some point during the season.

Clay Matthews (B)
Perry is rated higher than him for a few reasons. Perry is younger, and a better sack man. Sure, Matthews led Green Bay in sacks in 2017, but he’s not his 2010 self anymore. But, he’s still one heck of a linebacker, and he will be our #1 backer in 2018.

Reggie Gilbert (B)
From being undrafted to a lock for the 53 man roster. Gilbert has been fighting for playing time since 2017. In the last half of that season, he played quite well, and just this preseason, has been even better. 2.5 sacks in one game against the Steelers is pretty good for a linebacker. Gilbert is Green Bay’s last hope if either Perry or Matthews goes down with injury in 2018.

Oren Burks (B-)
Burks has been a preseason standout, already looking at home in Mike Pettine’s defense. He’s even looking better than the downed Jake Ryan. Maybe it was a good thing for Green Bay that Ryan went down.

Chris Odom (C)
Better than Fackrell, and actually could make a bid for the roster. I like what I’m seeing from Odom, but can he take it to the next level?

Kyler Fackrell (C)
Fackrell hasn’t been very good, but he may very well make the roster, because of what little depth Green Bay has at linebacker.

Ahmad Thomas (C)
Thomas should make the roster. After all, he’s better than Biegel. He’s been a camp standout, but has been quiet during the preseason. He’s a fifty-fifty player.

Greer Martini (C)
I want Martini to make the roster. He’s decent at linebacker, but I like him for his special teams work.

Vince Biegel (C-)
Biegel is similar to Fackrell. He hasn’t been the best, but is likely to make the roster due to lack of depth.

Kendall Donnerson (C-)
He’s flashed potential, but has shown very little otherwise. The seventh round pick will have a role as a practice squad member.

Too Early to Tell
James Crawford
James Hearns
Marcus Porter

Defensive Line

Mike Daniels (A)
Daniels had a great pro bowl season last year, starting off strong in week 1 against the Seahawks. But, he’s suffered recent injuries, and that’s kind of a concern. Fortunately, it’s not serious, and he’ll be good to go for the 2018 season opener against the Bears.

Kenny Clark (A-)
Did I rate him too high? Well, during the last few games of last season, he recorded 4.5 sacks, and that’s for a defensive tackle. Clark is a rising star, and I expect the former first round pick to have a pro bowl caliber season in 2018.

Muhammad Wilkerson (B)
Wilkerson provides veteran talent that the Packers need to teach the young players. He’s here to revive his dormant career with his former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. And I have faith Wilkerson can rebound from a disappointing last few years.

Dean Lowry (B-)
Lowry is a pretty underrated player, but he had a good season last year. His best game came against the Buccaneers, where he recorded a few tackles, a sack, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He has a lot of upside to him, and I expect him to capitalize on it.

Montravius Adams (C+)
Adams has a lot of potential. After an injury marred rookie season, the 2017 third round pick wants to bounce back and become a disruptive force on Green Bay’s defensive line. He’s been fine during camp, but nothing much during the preseason. Does he have what it takes?

James Looney (C-)
Looney has been decent during camp, but it’s unlikely he’ll crack the 53 man roster. But I expect him to be signed back to the practice squad.

Joey Mbu (C-)
Mbu hasn’t been half bad, but again, not enough to make the roster.

Too Early to Tell
Tyler Lancaster
Conor Sheehy

Next time, I will rate Green Bay’s CB’s and S’s. That will surely be a fun one.